Ring pull can cap

ABSTRACT

The present innovation is a dual purpose “ring-pull/can cap”, which performs as both a sealing cap for metal beverage cans in addition to its traditional usage as a can opener. The design is a modification of the U.S. Pat. No. 3,967,752 “easy open wall”, which is the current opening mechanism on most consumer beverage cans, also known in the industry as an “easy open end”. The “ring-pull/can cap” is an improvement of the well known ring-pull design found on most metal cans today, but also allows consumers to close and seal off the can when not in use. 
     There are two popular opening methods that have been used for opening metal cans to date: The “full open” mechanism and the more recent “half open” mechanism, as described below. The present invention deals with the improvement of the popular “half open” method, which currently does not allow the beverage can to be resealed after opening.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Approximately 76% of all the beer and soft drinks in the United Statesare sold in beverage cans. 95% of all beer and soft drink cans are madewith an aluminum base which may contain small amounts of other metals aswell. Typically, the can will contains 1% magnesium, 1% manganese, 0.4%iron, 0.2% silicon, and 0.15% copper with the rest of the can made fromaluminum. While almost all food cans are made of steel, aluminum'sunique properties make it ideal for holding carbonated beverages. Thetypical aluminum can weighs less than half an ounce, yet its thin wallswithstand more than the 90 pounds of pressure per square inch exerted bythe carbon dioxide gas in beer and soft drinks. Aluminum's shiny finishalso makes it an attractive background for decorative printing,important for a product that must grab the attention of consumers in acompetitive market. In addition, the modern aluminum beverage can is notonly lighter than the old steel or steel-and-aluminum can, but also doesnot rust, chills quickly, prolongs shelf life, and is easy to recycle.

The top part of the modern beverage can is often called the “easy-openend”. There are two opening methods which relate to the easy-open end:“Full-open” which is a detachable pull tab found on many older cans, andthe “half-open” found on most newer beverage cans. In the earlierfull-open design, the metal ring-pull tab and the beverage tab wereconnected together by a rivet. After the initial opening action, both ofthose two parts were disconnected completely from the top part of theeasy open can, and typically disposed of. The full-open method waspresented by Ermal Cleon Fraze in 1962 and approved as a patent at 1967,with U.S. Pat. No. 3,349,949 and under the title “ring shaped tab fortear strips of containers”. The full-open was a major innovationcompared to the old style cans which required the use of a specialopener popularly known as a “church key”, but it also created muchlitter since consumers would often dispose of the ring pulls on thenearby ground.

The half-open method uses a non-detachable tab that keeps all the metalparts of the easy-open end attached together on the can top, in order toprevent the enormous environment contamination that the full-openopening method created.

This device was invented by Daniel F. Cudzik in 1975 and registeredunder the title “easy open wall”, and was also called the “stay on taband/or colon tab and/or ecology tab”, with U.S. Pat. No. 3,967,752.

In order to manufacture the half-open easy-open end, the center of thelid is stretched upward slightly and drawn by a machine to form a rivet.The ring-pull, a separate piece of metal, is inserted under the rivetand secured by it. Then, the flat-lid can top is scored so that when thering-pull is pulled by the consumer, the metal will detach easily inwardinto the can and leave the proper opening.

Many consumers prefer the beverage cans above plastic and glass beveragebottles, because in their opinion, the beverage's taste is better andits carbonation stronger. The conducting properties of the beveragecan's metal body make it easier and faster to chill and keep a coldtemperature for a longer time than the plastic beverage bottles. Butdespite all the advantages of the beverage cans, consumers who prefercans will often buy beverages in bottles because they can be resealedwith their caps and therefore consumers are not forced to drink theentire portion immediately. The present invention provides consumers theoption of drinking a canned beverage at their leisure, and resealing itwhen finished, thereby allowing them to preserve carbonation and carryit around without fear of spilling.

Brewers and soft drinks manufacturers prefer the beverage can because ofthe ability to use the whole can's surface to promote brand recognition,and also because of the ease of handling and delivery of cans. The cansweigh less than glass bottles, and a truck could carry 400 cases of canscompared to only 200 cases of bottles. The beverage cans' manufacturersprefer the aluminum cans because they are also easy to recycle as well.25% of the total American aluminum supply comes from recycled scrap, andthe beverage can industry is the primary user of recycled material. Theenergy savings are significant when used cans are re-melted, and thealuminum can industry now reclaims more than 63% of used cans.

The aluminum base, for beverage cans consists mostly of aluminum, but itcontains small amounts of other metals as well. These are typically 1%magnesium, 1% manganese, 0.4% iron, 0.2% silicon and 0.15% copper.Therefore the fact that the new ring-pull can cap combines with asilicone sealing device will not interfere with the recycling processsince the aluminum beverage can contain 0.2% silicon.

It is necessary to manufacture a carbonation beverage can with abuilt-in sealing cap that makes it resealable. The new dual purposering-pull can cap is a required evolution of the easy-open end of thebeverage cans, which will perform as an “easy open-close end” that willallow consumers to reseal their beverages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an improvement of the U.S. Pat. No. 3,967,752“easy open wall”, which is the “stay-on tab/half-open” method. Morespecifically, the present invention relates to the improvements of thering-pull—the ring shaped part of the tab that beverage drinkers pull inorder to open the can—in order to perform as both a can opener andsealable can cap.

In all the previous inventions, the ring-pull performs as a can openeronly, with no option to close and seal the beverage can when necessary.

The ability of the common ring-pull to rotate around the rivet thatcurrently attaches it to the can is the driving force that stands behindthe present invention. As anyone opening up a modern aluminum beveragecan may notice, the ring pull can be rotated around the rivet like aclock-hand after it is opened, which is utilized in this invention.

By making small improvements to the ring-pull, it will become a dualpurpose “ring-pull/can cap” which can perform as a built-in can openerand a sealing can cap for beverage cans, as disclosed at claims 1; 2; 3;9; 10; 13; 14; 15; 16, and as showed at FIGS. 1; 2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7; 8; 9;10, and as described at the complexity parts 1; 10; 15; 19. [In thefollowing explanations, I will utilize the term “complexity part” torefer to any part that is made up of several more basic parts].

The ring-pull itself will be the only component modified on the can top[easy open end]. The flat-lid top wall, the partial-open drinking hole,the stay-on tab and the annular out-ward chuck flange will not needmodification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Parts Numbers & Figure Descriptions

The following are descriptions of all the figures presented in theappendix followed by descriptions of the part numbers featured in theattached drawings.

PART DESCRIPTIONS

-   1. Ring-pull [complex]—A metal complexity structure, which comprises    the parts 1; 2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7; 8; 9, as disclosed at claims 1; 3;    13; 16.-   2. Big recess—Made by press process, performs as a drainage basin    for the liquid silicone, and comprises the parts 4; 8, as disclosed    in claims 1; 3; 13; 16.-   3. Small recess—Made by a press process, comprises the parts 5; 6.-   4. Two holes—Designed to connect between the upward and inward sides    of complexity part 10. Two holes instead of one hole prevent the    upward and inward silicone parts from swinging around its axle, in    order to reinforce complexity part 10 in its place, as disclosed in    claims 1; 3; 13; 16.-   5. Hole—Designed to contain a rivet [part 18] which attached the    ring-pull/can cap [complexity part 15] to the flat lid top surface.-   6. Flat metal spring—Located around part 5, which provides    flexibility to the ring-pull/can cap [complexity part 15] in order    to allow it to move upward and downward.-   7. Metal beak—Small and strong metal bending structure. Located at    the lower part of the ring-pull/can cap [complexity part 15].    Performs as a can opener that pushes the stay on tab downward and    inward into the partial-open drinking hole [part 16].-   8. Plate—Performs as a base for the molded silicone sealing device.    It designed as a mini version of the partial-open pouring/drinking    hole [part 16], in order to give structural strengths to the molded    silicone sealing device [complexity part 10]. As shown at FIGS. 6;    10, the plate is located between the upward and inward molded    silicone parts, in a “sandwich” formation.-   9. Curved margin—Made by a press process in order to give structural    strengths and in addition performs as a stopper and anchor for the    molded silicone sealing device, by containing and reinforcing the    inward “male” silicone sealing device [complexity part 10], as shown    in FIGS. 6; 10.-   10. Silicone sealing device [complex]—The upward and inward “male”    silicone sealing device is built as one inseparable and bonded solid    unit. The upper surface performs as a surface area for advertisement    and also as anti-slip surface for the fingers [part 14] in order to    easily swing the ring-pull/can cap [complexity part 15]. Part 10 is    a complex structure comprises the parts 11; 12; 13; 14, as disclosed    at claims 1; 2; 3; 9; 10; 11; 14.-   11. Two sealing pressure o-rings—Located around the silicone    embossment [part 12], at upper and lower formation, designed to be    wider then the partial-open pouring/drinking hole measurements [part    16], in order to activate upward pointed pressure on the    parametrical margins edges' interior surfaces [part 17] for maximum    sealing, as disclosed in claims 1; 2; 15.-   12. Silicone embossment sealing device—Performs as a can cap. It is    located between the two silicone sealing pressure o-rings [part 11]    and is shaped exactly the same as the shape and measurements of the    partial-open pouring/drinking hole [part 16]. The silicone    embossment activates lateral pressure against the partial-open    pouring/drinking hole margins [part 17], in order to achieve    hermetic sealing, as shown at FIG. 10.-   13. Guiding slope—Leads the silicone sealing devices [parts 11; 12]    inward to the partial-open pouring/drinking hole [part 16], in order    to easily insert the silicone sealing devices inward part 16, until    complexity part 10 will lock into a sealing position [part 12 will    insert inward part 16 and part 17 will insert between part 11].-   14. Advertisement trademark logo—The logo will be created during the    molding process. The prominent letters will perform also as    anti-slip abrasive texture which will prevent from the fingers from    slipping during the opening action.-   15. Ring-pull/can cap [complex]—The entire complex of the    ring-pull/can cap [complexity part 15] which is the metal ring-pull    [complexity part 1] integrated together with the molded silicone    sealing device [complexity part 10].-   16. Partial-open pouring/drinking hole—Located on the flat lid top    wall [complexity part 19].-   17. Partial-open pouring/drinking hole margins—Parametrical inner    margins which are located inward of the partial-open    pouring/drinking hole [part 16] and perform as an anchoring point    for 11; 12, by absorbing lateral pressure [which is activated by    part 12] and upward pointed pressure [which is activated by part    11].-   18. Rivet—formed into the material of complexity part 19, connecting    complexity part 15 to the surface of complexity part 19, and also    perform as an axle which provides the ability to swing the    complexity part 15, like a clock hand.-   19. Flat lid top wall—comprises the parts 15; 16; 17; 18. This    entire complex is called an “easy open-close end”.

FIGURE DESCRIPTIONS

FIG. 1—Upper view of complexity part 1.

FIG. 2—Lower view of complexity part 1.

FIG. 3—Cross-section of complexity part 1.

FIG. 4—Upper view of complexity part 15.

FIG. 5—Lower & side view of complexity part 15.

FIG. 6—Side view of complexity part 15 with a cross-section across thelength.

FIG. 7—Upper view of complexity part 19 [part 16 is open].

FIG. 8—Upper view of complexity part 19, [complexity part 15 is sealingpart 16].

FIG. 9—Lower view of complexity part 15 seals part 16. [Part 12 createspressure 360 degrees inside part 16, and part 11—the lower siliconesealing o-ring creates pointed pressure on the interior side of part 17and the upper silicone sealing o-ring creates pointed pressure on theexterior side of part 17 for maximum sealing], as shown in claims 1; 2;15.

FIG. 10—Side view of complexity part 19 cross-section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The preferred embodiments is a metal structure [ring pull] and silicone[sealing device], integrated together during polymer molding process asdisclosed at the claims 1; 2; 3; 9; 10; 13; 14; 15; 16; 17 and as showedat FIGS. 1; 2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7; 8; 9; 10, and as described at thecomplexity parts 1; 10; 15; 19 [complexity part means that the partbuild from a combination of numerous parts].

1. Dual purpose ring pull can cap [complexity part 15] assembled of: (a)Wherein said metal structure which is a new breed of ring pull made bypress process [complexity part 1] perform as metal skeleton for moldedsilicone sealing device [complexity part 10], built as shown at FIGS. 1;2;
 3. (b) Wherein said metal structure and silicone, integrated together[complexity part 15] during polymer molding process. The metal structurewill be placed inside a casting mold, then, liquid polymer will pourthrough special holes [part 4] which located at the bottom of part 2[which is a part of complexity part 1], in order to create one solidbonded body, as shown at FIGS. 4; 5; 6; 7; 8;
 10. (c) Wherein saidsilicone embossment [part 12] located in the interior side of the metalstructure [complexity part 1], faces towards the flat lid top wall [part19], designed at the same shape and measurements as the partial openpouring drinking hole [part 16]. (d) Wherein said minimum two siliconesealing pressure o-rings [part 11], located around the siliconeembossment [part 12], at formation of upper and lower silicone sealingpressure o-rings, one at the top of each other, designed to be widerthen the partial open pouring drinking hole measurements. (e) Whereinsaid guiding slope [part 13] leading the “male” silicone sealing devices[parts 11; 12] inward to the partial open pouring drinking hole [part16], until it locks in a sealing positions [at first part 12 will insertinward part 16, and part 17 will insert between part 11]. (f) Whereinsaid metal beak [part 7], performs as a can opener, builds as small andstrong structure at the lower part of the ring pull can cap. (g) Whereinsaid elasticity hole [part 5] which gives the ring pull can cap theability to move upward and downward, with the assistance of flat metalspring [part 6], also designed to contain a rivet. (h) Wherein saidrivet [part 18], attached the ring pull can cap [complexity part 15], tothe flat lid top wall [complexity part 19], and in addition performs asan axle which around him the ring pull can cap could turns.
 2. Asdisclosed at claim 1, wherein said silicone sealing device [complexitypart 10], will consider as “male” organ, and the partial open pouringdrinking hole [part 16] and the parametrical open pouring drinking holemargins [part 17] which located on the flat lid top wall [complexitypart 19] will considered as “female” organ. By pressing the ring pullcan cap [complexity part 15] downward inward the partial open pouringdrinking hole, the “male” silicone sealing organs [parts 11; 12] willenter into the “female” organs [part 16], until it will lock in thesealing positions [at first part 12 will insert inward part 16, and part17 will insert between part 11] in a perfect matching. The frictionbetween the “male” silicone sealing organs and the “female” organs willfixate and reinforce the ring pull can cap to its place. The “male”sealing parts will always design according to the “female” parts shape.3. As disclosed at claim 1, wherein said sealing device made fromsilicone and/or rubber and/or any other polymer, integrated with themetal ring pull [complexity part 1] during the molding process, as onesolid body, bonded on the interior and the exterior sides of the ringpull [complexity part 15]. The metal skeleton [complexity part 1]provides structural strengths to the molded silicone sealing device[complexity part 10]. The integration between complexity part 1 andcomplexity part 10, creates the ring pull can cap [complexity part 15],as shown at FIGS. 4; 5; 6; 7; 8;
 10. 4. Wherein said plastic skeleton.Instead of metal skeleton, as disclosed at claim 1; 3, the sealingdevice [complexity part 10] which made from silicone and/or rubberand/or any other polymer, will be molded with a polymer ring pull,during the molding process, as one solid body, bonded on the interiorand the exterior sides of the plastic ring pull. The polymer skeletonprovides structural strengths to the molded silicone sealing device[complexity part 10]. The integration between strong plastic skeletonand complexity part 10, creates the ring pull can cap [complexity part15].
 5. Wherein said sealing device made from silicone and/or rubberand/or any other polymer, which will be molded as one piece, separatelyfrom the ring pull, and will be attached by gluing and/or press processto the interior side of the ring pull, which faces towards the flat lidtop wall.
 6. Wherein said “male” and “female” parts, as disclosed atclaims 1; 2, instead of “male” polymer sealing device, the “male”sealing device and the “female” part will be made only from metal, atpenny lever lid formation, made by press process. The ring pull can capwill consider as “male” part and the flat lid top wall will consider as“female” part.
 7. Wherein said “male” silicone sealing device and“female” part made from polymer and/or metal and/or a combinationbetween them, such as “male” sealing device made from metal, created bypress process, and “female” part made from polymer, created by moldingprocess, as disclosed at claims 1; 2;
 6. 8. As disclosed at claims 1; 2;6; 7, wherein said “male” sealing device and “female” part locationformation: (a) “male” sealing device located on the metal ring pull[complexity part 1], (b) “female” part located on the flat lid top wall[complexity part 19].
 9. As disclosed at claims 1; 3; 4, wherein saidthe silicone and/or rubber and/or any other polymer sealing parts[complexity part 10], made with different colors, during the moldingprocess, in order to perform as a promotional apparatus.
 10. Asdisclosed at claims 1; 3; 9, wherein said the silicone and/or rubberand/or any other polymer sealing parts, will be made with differentbrands logo, which will be made during the molding process, in order toperform as a promotional apparatus.
 11. As disclosed at claims 1; 2; 3,9; 10, wherein said the silicone and/or rubber and/or any other polymersealing parts, will be made with different shapes on the exterior sideof the ring pull, such as lifting handle, and/or abrasive texture suchas prominent logo which will be made during the molding process, inorder to perform as an advertisement also as an anti slippery surface inorder to assist turning the ring pull can cap.
 12. Wherein said suctionsealing cap, made from silicone polymer, located in the interior side ofthe ring pull [complexity part 1], faces towards the flat lid top wall[complexity part 19], which designed to be wider then the partial openpouring drinking hole [part 16]. By pressing the suction can cap ringpull downward toward the partial open pouring drinking hole, the suctionwill reinforce the suction cap ring pull to the flat lid top wall,around the partial open pouring drinking hole, in order to cover andseal the beverage can.
 13. Wherein said metal ring pull [complexity part1], perform as can opener and as metal skeleton for the molded siliconesealing device, built as shown at FIGS. 1; 2; 3; and functions asdescribed at the complexity part 1, as disclosed at claims 1; 2;
 3. 14.Wherein said “male” silicone sealing device [complexity part 10], builtfrom the parts 11; 12; 13; 14, as shown at FIGS. 4; 5; 6; 9; 10 asdisclosed at claims 1; 2; 3; 4; 8; 10; 11;
 15. 15. Wherein said numeroussealing pressure o-ring as shown at FIGS. 5; 6; 9; 10, and as describedat part 11, located around the silicone embossment [part 12], at upperand lower formation, designed to be wider then the partial open pouringdrinking hole measurements [part 16], in order to activate upwardpointed pressure on the parametrical margins interior surface [part 17].Numerous o-rings will backup each other in order to maintain continuallysealing, and if the upper o-ring will loose grip and will come out frompart 17, the lower o-ring will take its place and so forth, forcontinuity sealing, as disclosed at claims 1; 2;
 3. 16. Wherein saidmetal structure [ring pull] made by press process and molded siliconesealing device integrated together, as disclosed at claims 1; 2; 3, thering pull metal structure [complexity part 1], and the silicone polymer[complexity part 10] integrated together during the molding process. Themetal structure [complexity part 1] will be placed inside a castingmold; liquid polymer will pour through part 4 in order to create onesolid bonded body, as shown at FIGS. 4; 5; 6; 7; 8;
 10. Combinations ofthe parts 1; 10, creates integrated complex structure, numbered andmarket as complexity part 15 in the drawings, which is the moldedsilicone sealing device named under the title “ring pull can cap”. 17.Wherein said the method to connect the molded silicone sealing device[complexity part 10] and the metal ring pull [complexity part 1] inorder to create the ring pull can cap [complexity part 15] is viamolding process, as disclosed at claims 1; 3;
 16. 18. Wherein said themethod to connect the molded silicone sealing device [complexity part10] and the metal ring pull [complexity part 1] in order to create thering pull can cap [complexity part 15] is via gluing process, asdisclosed at claim
 5. 19. Wherein said the method to connect the moldedsilicone sealing device [complexity part 10] and the metal ring pull[complexity part 1] in order to create the ring pull can cap [complexitypart 15] is via press process, as disclosed at claim
 5. During the pressprocess the curved margin [part 9] will be squashed into complexity part10 in order to reinforce the molded silicone sealing device to the ringpull.